Cleaning machine for cleaning a surface

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a liquid distribution system operatively associated with the housing. The liquid distribution system includes a fluid source providing a supply of the cleaning solution and a distributor fluidly connected to the fluid source for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface. A liquid recovery-system is operatively associated with the housing and includes a suction nozzle and a recovery tank removably mounted to the housing and in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. A filter system is provided on the housing and in fluid communication with the recovery tank for filtering the recovered cleaning solution to be reused and distributed to the surface by the distributor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cleaning machine for cleaning a surface.

2. Background Information

It is know to have cleaning machines for cleaning a surface. One example of a cleaning machine is an extractor that distributes water and detergent cleaning solution to a cleaning surface and substantially simultaneously extracts it along with the dirt on the carpet in a continuous operation. This machine generally uses one or two tanks for holding the cleaning solution and one tank for containing the extracted or recovered dirt and cleaning solution. When using this extractor, the majority of this water is recovered and then discarded. Such an arrangement has several disadvantages. One is that at least two tanks are used which together provide about twice the tank volume that is need to hold the actual volume. Another is that the user has to carry the recovery tank when full to the sink for disposal of the recovered solution and then refill the solution tank(s).

To overcome these disadvantages, the extractor can be designed to recycle the extracted cleaning solution for reuse. This solution would eliminate the additional recovery tank and the disposal of the recovered cleaning solution in the tank several times during the cleaning of the surface with the extractor. Further, this solution reduces significantly the number of times the user has to stop and refill the solution tank(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other facets of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description and the attached drawings. In one aspect of the invention, a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a liquid distribution system operatively associated with the housing. The liquid distribution system includes a fluid source providing a supply of the cleaning solution and a distributor fluidly connected to the fluid source for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface. A liquid recovery system is operatively associated with the housing and includes a suction nozzle and a recovery tank removably mounted to the housing and in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. A filter system is provided on the housing and in fluid communication with the recovery tank for filtering the recovered cleaning solution to be reused and distributed to the surface by the distributor. An indicator device, operatively connected to one of the liquid distribution system and the liquid recovery system, indicates to a user that none of the recovered cleaning solution is flowing to the distributor.

In another aspect of the invention, a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a liquid distribution system operatively associated with the housing. The liquid distribution system includes a fluid source providing a supply of the cleaning solution and a distributor fluidly connected to the fluid source for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface. A liquid recovery system is operatively associated with the housing and includes a suction nozzle and a recovery tank removably mounted to the housing and in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. A filter system is provided on the housing and in fluid communication with the recovery tank for filtering the recovered cleaning solution to be reused and distributed to the surface by the distributor. The filter system includes a first filter provided on the recovery tank for filtering particles from the cleaning solution and dirt, and a second filter provided on the recovery tank and positioned downstream from the first filter. The second filter filters particles from the cleaning solution and dirt of a smaller size than the particles filtered from the first filter.

In still another aspect of the invention, a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a liquid distribution system operatively associated with the housing. The liquid distribution system includes a fluid source providing a supply of the cleaning solution and a distributor fluidly connected to the fluid source for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface.

A liquid recovery system is operatively associated with the housing and includes a suction nozzle and a recovery tank removably mounted to the housing and in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. A filter system is provided on the housing and in fluid communication with the recovery tank for filtering the recovered cleaning solution to be reused and distributed to the surface by the distributor. A pump is fluidly connected between the recovery tank and the distributor for drawing the cleaning solution from the recovery tank to the distributor, wherein the pump has an outlet in fluid communication with the suction source such that the suction from the suction source is used to prime the pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the attached drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a cleaning machine of the present invention schematically illustrating the general arrangement of its operating elements;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken away front plan view of the cleaning machine of FIG. 1 without the handle;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the bottom portion of the suction nozzle, the distributor and related elements with the cleaning machine moving in the forward direction; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 except that the cleaning machine is moving in the rearward direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts the general arrangement of the cleaning machine in the form of an extractor 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The extractor 60 comprises an upright handle 62 pivotally connected to the rear portion of the floor-engaging portion or base 64 that moves and cleans along a surface 74 such as a bare or hard floor.

A combined air/water separator and recovery tank 80 removably sets atop the base 64. The recovery tank 80 comprises a front wall 82, rear wall 84, top wall 86, bottom wall 88, and side walls 87, 89 (FIG. 2). Before the extractor 60 is used for cleaning the surface 74, the recovery tank 80 is filled with cleaning solution such as clean water mixed with detergent. Two laterally displaced front wheels 65L and 65R and two larger laterally displaced rear wheels 66 (the left wheel 66L being shown in FIG. 1) are rotatably attached to the base 64. A motor/fan assembly 90 is mounted to the base 64 and is used to provide the suction power. The motor/fan assembly includes a motor 92 and a fan 94 located upstream that has an inlet 130 in fluid communication with an outlet 132 formed in the rear wall 84 of the tank near its top wall 86. The fan 94 also includes an outlet 93 in fluid communication with the atmosphere for expelling the air. A suitable motor/fan assembly 90 is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977; the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

A floor suction nozzle 70 is mounted to the front portion of the base 64 and includes front and rear portions 72, 73 (FIGS. 3 and 4) that extend across the width of the base 64 as also seen in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a cleaning fluid distributor 76 is positioned within the suction nozzle 70 near its bottom portion for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface 74. The distributor 76 extends across the width of the suction nozzle 70 and includes vertical front and rear walls 100, 102, respectively, defining a chamber 104. A solution tube 106 is fluidly connected to the distributor 76 at an inlet 108 formed in its rear wall 102 and supplies a flow of cleaning solution to the distributor 76. The cleaning solution from the solution tube 106 strikes the front wall 100 and travels down to the surface 74 while fanning out into the narrow chamber 104 across the width of the suction nozzle 70 as seen in FIG. 2. The rear wall 102 of the distributor 76 is spaced opposite from the rear portion 73 of the suction nozzle 70 to define a rear suction flow path 112. Likewise, the front wall 100 of the distributor 76 is spaced opposite from the front portion 72 of the suction nozzle 70 to define a front suction flow path 114.

As seen in FIG. 3, a front squeegee member 116 is mounted to the front side of the front portion 72 of the suction nozzle 70 and extends down to the surface 74. A similar rear squeegee member 118 is mounted to the rear is side of the rear portion 73 of the suction nozzle 70 and also extends down to the surface 74. Each of the squeegee members includes bumps 120F, 120R formed along the outer surface of the bottom edges. The bumps 120 raise the leading squeegee member to allow air and liquid to flow between the bumps 120. Yet, the trailing squeegee member bends out and cleanly wipes the floor with its inside straight edge to keep liquid in the high suction area of its adjacent flow path. Such a squeegee design with the bumps is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,012; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Further, when the base 64 is moved in the forward or rearward direction, the leading squeegee member bends a sufficient distance over the inlet of its adjacent flow path to cover and close the inlet thereby substantially blocking suction from the flow path. In particular, when the base 64 moves forward as shown in FIG. 3, the front squeegee member 116 bends over inlet 122 of the front flow path 114 closing it, while the rear squeegee member 118 bends away from inlet 124 of the rear flow path 112 so that is open. When the base 64 moves rearward as shown in FIG. 4, the rear squeegee member 118 bends over the inlet 124 of the rear flow path 112 closing it, while the front squeegee member 116 bends away from the inlet 122 of the front flow path 114 so that it is open. Thus, the distributor 76 always distributes the cleaning solution ahead of the open front flow path 114 or rear flow path 112 in both the forward and rearward direction of movement of the base 64, and the closing of the leading flow path reduces the cross sectional area of the suction nozzle 70 at its inlet thereby creating extra suction power to the trailing flow path to extract and transport the cleaning solution and dirt.

The motor/fan assembly 90 generates suction to extract the air and soiled liquid from the surface and draws it through the front or rear flow path of the suction nozzle 70 to inlet 128 formed in the front wall of the recovery tank 80 near its top wall where separation of the air and liquid occurs. Gravity slows upward travel of the liquid and air thereby aiding their separation. In addition, a concaved curved wall or rib 126 extending down from the top wall 86 of the recovery tank 80 further slows the air and liquid down to aid their separation and also directs the liquid to the bottom wall 88 of the recovery tank 80. The separated air then travels through the outlet 132 of the recovery tank, where it is expelled to atmosphere via the outlet 93 of the fan 94.

The recovery tank 80 includes an outlet or drain 134 formed in its bottom wall 88 that is fluidly connected to an air turbine driven pump 136 via solution tube 144. A screen 138 is fixed over the drain 134 to prevent dirt from accidentally being flushed into the drain 134 when the recovery tank 80 is being cleaned. Above the screen 138 are two large area filter screens 140, 142 removably mounted to the recovery tank 80 and extending across it for filtering the cleaning solution for reuse. Filter 140 is a coarse filter, which removes large particles from the cleaning solution. Filter 142, located below or downstream from the coarse filter, is a fine filter that removes particles smaller than that from the coarse filter 140. Thus, cleaning solution is rid of a substantial amount of dirt and other particles as it exits the drain 134 to be reused.

Air turbine driven pump assembly 136 draws the cleaning solution under pressure from the recovery tank 80 to the distributor 76 via solution tubes 106, 144. The air turbine driven pump assembly 136 comprises an air driven turbine portion 146 and a centrifugal liquid cleaning solution supply pump portion 148 attached thereto and sharing a common rotating shaft 150. In operation, vacuum is applied to the air turbine discharge port 152, which fluidly communicates with the fan 94, thereby causing clean atmospheric air to enter turbine inlet ports 154,156 passing through and thereby driving turbine 146. As the turbine 146 rotates, pump impeller (not shown) is also rotated via shaft 150 thereby drawing the filtered cleaning solution into pump chamber via solution tube 144 from the recovery tank and discharging the cleaning solution from the pump discharge port 158, under pressure, to solution discharge valve 160 via solution tube 106. Further details of the air turbine driven pump are disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977. A trigger switch 162, pivotally mounted in the upper portion of the handle 62, operates the solution discharge valve 160. In particular, a user squeezes the trigger switch 162 to distribute the cleaning solution to the surface 74. The solution discharge valve 160 can be one of several types such as, for example, a solenoid valve or umbrella valve.

To ensure that the air turbine driven pump assembly 136 is quickly primed, a bypass tube 164 fluidly connects the pump discharge port 158 to an inlet 166 in the recovery tank 80 above the level of cleaning solution in the recovery tank 80, so that suction from the motor /fan assembly 90 draws the air out of the pump 136, which primes it. Since the cleaning solution is always being pumped, even with the solution discharge valve 160 closed, the turbine 146 is always under a load and therefore cannot over revolve.

An indicator light 168 is provided on the base 64 to inform the user when the recovery tank 80 is out of cleaning solution or that the filter screens are clogged. The light 168 is controlled by a pressure switch 170 provided in the solution tube 106. In particular, the light 168 is electrically coupled to the pressure switch 170 and includes leads L that are electrically connected to a power source (not shown). When the cleaning solution flows through the discharge port 158 of the pump portion 148 and the solution tube 106, the pressure caused by the flow of cleaning solution opens the pressure switch 170, which cuts the power to the light 168 thereby turning or keeping it off. However, when the cleaning solution does not flow through the pump discharge port 158 and solution tube 106, the absence or lack of pressure closes the pressure switch 170, which allows power from the power source to turn the light 168 on.

In operation, a user fills the recovery tank 80 with cleaning solution. The user then pivots the handle 62 in an incline position while moving the extractor 60 over the surface 74 to clean it. The extractor 60 distributes the cleaning solution to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracts it along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation. The soiled cleaning solution is extracted from the surface by the suction nozzle 70 and transported into the recovery tank 80 where the liquid and air are separated. The extracted liquid is filtered and reused as cleaning solution as previously mentioned.

The present invention has been described by way of example using the illustrated embodiments. Upon reviewing the detailed description and the appended drawings, various modifications and variations of the embodiments will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. All such obvious modifications and variations are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention and of the claims appended hereto.

In view of the above, it is intended that the present invention not be limited by the preceding disclosure of the embodiments, but rather be limited only by the appended claims. 

1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface comprising: a) a housing; b) a liquid distribution system operatively associated with said housing and including: a fluid source providing a supply of the cleaning solution; a distributor fluidly connected to said fluid source for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface; c) a liquid recovery system operatively associated with said housing and including: a suction nozzle; a recovery tank mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said suction nozzle; a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; and d) a filter system provided on said housing and in fluid communication with said recovery tank for filtering the recovered cleaning solution to be reused and distributed to the surface by said distributor; and e) an indicator device operatively connected to one of the liquid distribution system and liquid recovery system, said indicator device indicating to a user that none of the recovered cleaning solution is flowing to said distributor.
 2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 including a pump fluidly connected between said recovery tank and said distributor for drawing the cleaning solution from said recovery tank to said distributor, said indicator device includes a pressure switch fluidly connected between said pump and said distributor.
 3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter system comprises a first filter provided on said recovery tank, said first filter filtering particles from the cleaning solution and dirt, said filter system further comprising a second filter fluidly provided on said recovery tank and positioned downstream from said first filter, said second filter filtering particles from the cleaning solution and dirt of a smaller size than the particles filtered from said first filter.
 4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said recovery tank includes an outlet in fluid communication with said distributor and a screen mounted to the outlet of said recovery tank.
 5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first and second filters are removable.
 6. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 including a pump fluidly connected between said recovery tank and said distributor for drawing the cleaning solution from said recovery tank to said distributor, wherein said pump has an outlet in fluid communication with said suction source such that the suction from said suction source is used to prime said pump.
 7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said suction nozzle includes a rear portion and a front portion, said distributor being positioned between said front and rear portions of said suction nozzle and defining front and rear flow paths, one of said front and rear flow paths being closed in response to said housing moving in a forward direction and said other one of said front and rear flow paths being closed in response to said housing moving in a rearward direction.
 8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 7 including a rear squeegee member mounted to said rear portion of said suction nozzle, a front squeegee member mounted to said front portion of said suction nozzle, wherein said rear squeegee member closes said rear flow path in response to said housing moving in a rearward direction and said front squeegee closes said front flow path in response to said housing moving in a forward direction.
 9. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid source is provided in said recovery tank.
 10. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface comprising: a) a housing; b) a liquid distribution system operatively associated with said housing and including: a fluid source providing a supply of the cleaning solution; a distributor fluidly connected to said fluid source for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface; c) a liquid recovery system operatively associated with said housing and including: a suction nozzle; a recovery tank removably mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said suction nozzle; a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; and d) a filter assembly provided on said housing and in fluid communication with said recovery tank for filtering the recovered cleaning solution to be reused and distributed to the surface by said distributor, said filter system comprising: a first filter provided on said recovery tank, said first filter filtering particles from the cleaning solution and dirt; a second filter provided on said recovery tank and positioned downstream from said first filter, said second filter filtering particles from the cleaning solution and dirt of a smaller size than the particles filtered from said first filter.
 11. The cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said recovery tank includes an outlet in fluid communication with said distributor and a screen mounted to the outlet of said recovery tank.
 12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first and second filters are removable.
 13. The cleaning apparatus of claim 10 including a pump fluidly connected between said recovery tank and said distributor for drawing the cleaning solution from said recovery tank to said distributor, wherein said pump has an outlet in fluid communication with said suction source such that the suction from said suction source is used to prime said pump.
 14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said suction nozzle includes a rear portion and a front portion, said distributor being positioned between said front and rear portions of said suction nozzle and defining front and rear flow paths, one of said front and rear flow paths being closed in response to said housing moving in a forward direction and said other one of said front and rear flow paths being closed in response to said housing moving in a rearward direction.
 15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 including a rear squeegee member mounted to said rear portion of said suction nozzle, a front squeegee member mounted to said front portion of said suction nozzle, wherein said rear squeegee member closes said rear flow path in response to said housing moving in a rearward direction and said front squeegee closes said front flow path in response to said housing moving in a forward direction.
 16. The cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said fluid source is provided in said recovery tank.
 17. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface comprising: a) a housing; b) a liquid distribution system operatively associated with said housing and including: a fluid source providing a supply of the cleaning solution; a distributor fluidly connected to said fluid source for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface; c) a liquid recovery system operatively associated with said housing and including: a suction nozzle; a recovery tank mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said suction nozzle; a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; and d) a filter system provided on said housing and in fluid communication with said recovery tank for filtering the recovered cleaning solution to be reused and distributed to the surface by said distributor; and e) a pump fluidly connected between said recovery tank and said distributor for drawing the cleaning solution from said recovery tank to said distributor, wherein said pump has an outlet in fluid communication with said suction source such that the suction from said suction source is used to prime said pump.
 18. The cleaning apparatus of claim 19 wherein said fluid source is a recovery tank containing the cleaning solution, said housing including a base and a handle pivotally connected to said base, said recovery tank removably mounted to one of said base and said handle.
 19. The cleaning apparatus of claim 17 wherein said suction nozzle includes a rear portion and a front portion, said distributor being positioned between said front and rear portions of said suction nozzle and defining front and rear flow paths, one of said front and rear flow paths being closed in response to said housing moving in a forward direction and said other one of said front and rear flow paths being closed in response to said housing moving in a rearward direction.
 20. The cleaning apparatus of claim 17 including a rear squeegee member mounted to said rear portion of said suction nozzle, a front squeegee member mounted to said front portion of said suction nozzle, wherein said rear squeegee member closes said rear flow path in response to said housing moving in a rearward direction and said front squeegee closes said front flow path in response to said housing moving in a forward direction. 